After a first-quarter benching, Lemon delivers a game-changing touchdown, while King Miller explodes for 124 yards and two scores as the Trojans win their third crosstown showdown under Lincoln Riley.
Benched for the first quarter along with fellow top wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, the sophomore receiver re-emerged with the biggest play of the game — a 32-yard go-ahead touchdown in the waning seconds of the third quarter — lifting No. 19 USC to a 29–10 win over rival UCLA on Saturday at the Coliseum.
The victory moved the Trojans to 9–3 (7–2 Big Ten) and capped a perfect 7–0 home season, the best under Lincoln Riley since his debut campaign. And while USC’s College Football Playoff dreams evaporated with last week’s loss to Oregon, the Trojans seized Los Angeles bragging rights in emphatic fashion.
A Bench, a Message, and a Breakout
Riley benched Lemon and Lane for the first two offensive series — declining to give details — but their absence was short-lived and their impact enormous.
Moments later, Lemon delivered again — this time in the return game — bursting for a 35-yard punt return that set up another scoring drive. Lane followed with a highlight 27-yard catch, paving the way for a 2-yard touchdown to TE Lake McRee, stretching the lead to 22–10 early in the fourth.
King Miller: The Exclamation Point
While the passing game found its rhythm late, the tone-setter was RB King Miller, who finished with 124 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yard dagger with 2:29 remaining.
The Trojans’ offensive balance — 413 total yards — proved too much for UCLA’s fading second-half defense, which allowed 22 unanswered points after halftime.
Bruins Show Fight in Finale, But Fade Late
UCLA (3–9, 3–6 Big Ten), closing the season under interim coach Tim Skipper, delivered one of its most competitive efforts of the year. Freshman QB Nico Iamaleava battled through neck spasms to throw for 200 yards, finding Kwazi Gilmer for an early score and helping the Bruins take a 10–7 halftime lead.
But the Bruins were blanked after the break, marking their seventh losing season in the last decade — and ending a turbulent year that saw DeShaun Foster ousted just two games into his second season.
Still, UCLA’s defensive grit kept the rivalry tight long after many expected, highlighted by Scott Taylor’s blocked USC field goal and a late second-quarter scoring drive.
Trojan Takeaways
- USC remains unbeaten at home for the first time since Riley’s debut season.
- Defense continues its November surge, allowing just 10 points and controlling the second half.
- Lemon and Lane responded from a disciplinary benching with clutch, defining plays.
- Maiava’s command of the offense continues to grow, showing poise in rivalry pressure.
Bruin Takeaways
- Iamaleava’s toughness under injury hints at foundational leadership for 2026.
- UCLA’s defense held serve early but wore down late under constant field pressure.
- The program heads into another offseason of transition — again — after a 3–9 finish.
The Rivalry Rolls On
In the 95th edition of the Crosstown Showdown — with both teams wearing home colors per tradition — USC cemented its third rivalry win in four years under Riley. The playoff stakes may be gone, but in Los Angeles, this win still echoes.
With USC now turning toward bowl preparation and roster evaluation, and UCLA primed to search for its next permanent head coach, Saturday’s battle delivered what always matters most in this city:
Pride, color, and one more Coliseum celebration for the Trojans.
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-- By Michael R. Thomas
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